OIC vote threatens Flotta oil terminal

A decision by OIC elected members could “effectively close” the Flotta oil terminal, according to the council’s vice-convener, Councillor Jim Foubister.

At this week’s meeting of the policy and resources committee, councillors voted on new deballasting measures for ships in Scapa Flow.

If ratified by the full council next week, vessels will have to exchange and treat ballast water before discharging it into the Flow.

However, a report presented to the committee highlighted that only vessels with a treatment capacity, of which there are very few, could comply.

If the committee’s decision is endorsed, the measures will apply with immediate effect.